I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

The way things always play out in the NFL a lot of times the teams that are left for dead and written off before the season begins often end up surprising. So I see Peter King has us at #23 and he states this:

[B][QUOTE][/QUOTE]23. Washington
[/B]Prediction: I'll look foolish when Washington starts 4-2 or 5-1. These things happen with St. Louis, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Kansas City on the schedule before Halloween, three of them at home. But then, when they finish against the Giants, Cowboys and Chargers, I might be closer to right -- and [B][URL="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7201"][COLOR=#0000ff]Jason Campbell[/COLOR][/URL][/B] might be closer to being somewhere else in 2010.[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

[url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/05/10/may11/2.html]Pittsburgh Steelers, N.Y. Giants atop early NFL power rankings - Peter King - SI.com[/url]

My question is has King taken into consideration anything about our defense and how good it is going to be this year. Overall I am glad he predicted us to finish last in the NFC East and #23 overall - I have a feeling we could be one of the surprise teams this year with our D Line causing some serious havoc this year.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

Who cares.

Power polls in May are about as useless as mock drafts.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

23 seems about right.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=Mattyk72;556563]Who cares.

Power polls in May are about as useless as mock drafts.[/quote]

Absolutely right.

I will say, I am happy both our Dallas games come at the end of the season. If they hold true to form, we could sweep them.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

He has Chicago at 4th, nuff said.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

Peter King has "no chance" of credibility.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

Prepare to see a whole bunch of power polls ranking us in the 20's. Our reputation is pretty bad nationally. I'd bet if you asked most national writers how many games we'd won in the past 4 years most of them wouldn't know we only had one season under .500 (2006) and had been in the playoffs as frequently (twice) in the last 4 years as anyone else in the division other than the Giants.

As a matter of fact, the entire breakdown of the division over the past 4 years dating back to 2005:
Giants: 41-23 (11-5, 8-8, 10-6, 12-4)
Cowboys: 40-24 (9-7, 9-7, 13-3, 9-7)
Eagles: 33-31-1 (6-10, 10-6, 8-8, 9-6-1)
Redskins: 32-32 (10-6, 5-11, 9-7, 8-8)

In reality, the only team in our division that can't be considered 'mediocre' by most standards is the Giants over the past 4 years. The Cowboys record is skewed by their 13-3 season but if you look at it, they've been mediocre also despite what the media would lead you to believe.

We all (with the exception of the Giants) should be 15, 16, 17 based on recent history but it's commonplace to under estimate our team, we should be used to it by now.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I'd love to know his formula. Yes we had one of the worst offenses in the league after the half way point last yr, but one has to think being in the same offense for a second yr in a row would improve that. Especially after looking at how well we did the first half of last yr.

Then to top off the fact we had the 4th ranked defense last yr and have added pieces that will improve the team, w/o having lost any intricate parts to it. Hmmm.

Honestly I see us doing better then the Bears. Of NFCEast teams I see it as NY, Skins, Philly, Dallas. Only cause I think NY will be there untill they either lose a lot of pieces or drop themselves. I think this yr it's more of a toss up between us and philly. I like what they did with getting talent for McNoodle. Dallas.......I think they lost too many pieces to their puzzle. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I don't see them recovering and their Coach is not that great. He's a better co-ordinator.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=Paintrain;556577]Prepare to see a whole bunch of power polls ranking us in the 20's. Our reputation is pretty bad nationally. I'd bet if you asked most national writers how many games we'd won in the past 4 years most of them wouldn't know we only had one season under .500 (2006) and had been in the playoffs as frequently (twice) in the last 4 years as anyone else in the division other than the Giants.

As a matter of fact, the entire breakdown of the division over the past 4 years dating back to 2005:
Giants: 41-23 (11-5, 8-8, 10-6, 12-4)
Cowboys: 40-24 (9-7, 9-7, 13-3, 9-7)
Eagles: 33-31-1 (6-10, 10-6, 8-8, 9-6-1)
Redskins: 32-32 (10-6, 5-11, 9-7, 8-8)

In reality, the only team in our division that can't be considered 'mediocre' by most standards is the Giants over the past 4 years. The Cowboys record is skewed by their 13-3 season but if you look at it, they've been mediocre also despite what the media would lead you to believe.

We all (with the exception of the Giants) should be 15, 16, 17 based on recent history but it's commonplace to under estimate our team, we should be used to it by now.[/quote]


Not to mention the NFC East is the hardest division. We keep beating up on each other. So if we are in the hardest division then that alone would mean we are one of the toughest teams. We finished 8-8, with a new offense. Imagine having more knowledge of said offense this yr.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

We have all things going up, and have made key additions to the squad across the board. It should make for a good season!

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote]These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.[/quote]

Strange. I don't remember being a top 10 team in the recent past.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I think I would believe Peter North more than Peter "Fat****" Queen.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

If we would of made the playoffs last year we would of been a top 10 team. Until we prove make the playoffs we will not be predicted near the top. Cant say that I blame the experts. How long have we thought we would be good and not done anything?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=Mattyk72;556563]Who cares.

Power polls in May are about as useless as mock drafts.[/quote]

I like when the media doubts the Skins. I really like the way this team is headed for 2009. If the offense can score 20 points a game the Skins will probably win the NFC East. I have them as a 10-6 team right now but this team has a chance to be special. I agree the medias opinions are pointless and I cant wait til these Skins prove everyone wrong.

P.S. Dont hate on my mock drafts though. :woot:

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;556579]These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.[/quote]

we do?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=redskins1974;556603]we do?[/quote]
well when we make the playoffs 2 out of last 4 years, yes we do prove them wrong when we're picked to finish last in division every year.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;556579]These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.[/quote]

1999- After the FA splurge that netted us Bruce Smith, Deion & Jeff George - As well as Norv's offense looking good in the '98 season. People were calling us SB contenders, we know how that ended. The last two times we went to the playoffs...we were supposed to finish last in the division. The experts also had the Cards sucking last year!

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

Anyone thinking that better than 3rd place in the division is a lock is seriously kidding themselves.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

If the offense scores more touchdowns and the defense gives us the same results as last season along with more QB pressure and turnovers, we should be better than 8-8.

Simple as that.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I think King is a dope in general when it comes to football. He of the "Art Monk isn't a HOFer...until I say so" crew. Whatever. Like Matty said, it doen't matter. And it REALLY doesn't matter coming from King.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I think with the improvements we made on Defense we will again be top 5 but we will also be presurring the passer way more - which will cause more turnovers and more 3 and outs with better field position. I think that one thing we have to remember here is that better field position will help the offense a whole heck of a lot more than people think - a lot of times the offense last year did not do too well because of the bad field position they started with. How many times do you see a team that gets a turnover in the opponents side and rams it down for a touchdown and turns the game into their favor? The problem with the Skins in years past was their defense was not causing a lot of turnovers and they also were not giving the offense the best field position.

Granted the offense needs to step it up a little and hopefully being in the system in year 2 will help that greatly - but I think the improved defense alone can add 2 wins to our record.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;556622]Anyone thinking that better than 3rd place in the division is a lock is seriously kidding themselves.[/quote]

Third is likely though...not last. While NY will still be dominant and Philly has done a lot to help themselves the Cowpukes look to be a less talented, less competitive team than last year's. Romo would have to become elite to get them anywhere...and frankly under pressure he's been terrible (this year will put more pressure on him than ever before). So yeah, third is sensible and we just keep our fingers crossed the NFC east sends three teams to the playoffs this year.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=The Goat;556633]Third is likely though...not last. While NY will still be dominant and Philly has done a lot to help themselves the Cowpukes look to be a less talented, less competitive team than last year's. Romo would have to become elite to get them anywhere...and frankly under pressure he's been terrible (this year will put more pressure on him than ever before). So yeah, third is sensible and we just keep our fingers crossed the NFC east sends three teams to the playoffs this year.[/quote]

That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

well zorn and jc better go ahead and pack up now...geez

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=Mattyk72;556563]Who cares.

Power polls in May are about as useless as mock drafts.[/quote]

Lol, u r so not smurt. If mockdrafts r useles thne how come Micheal Oar is Skin?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;556579]These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.[/quote]
not to be doom and gloom but when's the last time we finished top 10? how many times in the past 15 years or so?

what have we proven wrong?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=Bill B;556628]I think with the improvements we made on Defense we will again be top 5 but we will also be presurring the passer way more - which will cause more turnovers and more 3 and outs with better field position. I think that one thing we have to remember here is that better field position will help the offense a whole heck of a lot more than people think - a lot of times the offense last year did not do too well because of the bad field position they started with. How many times do you see a team that gets a turnover in the opponents side and rams it down for a touchdown and turns the game into their favor? The problem with the Skins in years past was their defense was not causing a lot of turnovers and they also were not giving the offense the best field position.

Granted the offense needs to step it up a little and hopefully being in the system in year 2 will help that greatly - but I think the improved defense alone can add 2 wins to our record.[/quote]

Well even with good field position our offense seemed rather paltry. Hopefully that's where the o-line and wr potential improvements can help out. It was ridiculous how many times we had to punt from around midfield.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

23 is a bt low but this is a mid-pack team at best.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

The true proof in the pudding is to find out how accurate has this poll been over the years at predicting anything, and then analyze the data. We should all do that before we all possibly put our foot in our mouths.

My feeling is that we have all been high with expectation before in seasons past, only to be let down big time. Our team has not been very convincing with it's on-field prowess, and most importantly, wins versus loses. Call me a pessimist, but fool me once shame on you, fool me twice.....

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I don't like to listen to these guys they never played sports in the life.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=irish;556688]23 is a bt low but this is a mid-pack team at best.[/quote]

I think that's a pretty honest assesment at this point in the off-season.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

Check this chart out on what the "experts" said was gonna happen during the 2008 season:

[url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/index.html]NFL Crystal Ball: '08 Predictions - 2008 NFL Preview - SI.com[/url]

Yea he only had 3 of the 8 divisions right, but he also had the redskins earning a wildcard birth. I always thought that Peter King was one of the few reporters out there that gave the redskins any credit. But like Matty said, how much can you really take from these power rankings in May?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

its may, hence why he has the bears a 4. what a joke.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=WaldSkins;556721]Check this chart out on what the "experts" said was gonna happen during the 2008 season:

[url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/preview/2008/09/02/predictions/index.html]NFL Crystal Ball: '08 Predictions - 2008 NFL Preview - SI.com[/url]

Yea he only had 3 of the 8 divisions right, but he also had the redskins earning a wildcard birth. I always thought that Peter King was one of the few reporters out there that gave the redskins any credit. But like Matty said, how much can you really take from these power rankings in May?[/quote]

Interesting notes:

no one picked the Steelers to go to the SB (I was surprised)

the negative guesses at the bottom of the page were much more on target then the positive assertions.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;556643]That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.[/quote]

I just don't see it this way, and I know I am looking through rose colored glasses. The Giants being first is only a given until someone in the NFCE steps up and challenges them. They lost a half decent WR cause they cut him and have not replaced him. Perhaps they already had one in the wings but they now have a weakness. I think the Skins could suprise them and win one.

Dallas is almost a given. After the Tuna left the team has been on their downward spiral. Last yr was not good for them. This offseason, I feel they lost too many pieces to the puzzle and will struggle. I figure last in the division.

Now is the hard part. Who takes second place. A few yrs ago McNabb got hurt and I see him as being a little tentative still. They only have one good RB who is hurt half the time. They had no WR until last yr when they drafted the WR/KR. He did shine for the most part but only cause I think they did their best to keep it simple for him. This yr he may step up and handle a few more routes. I'm not sure if they picked up any in the draft, but as we all know it will take atleast until their 2nd yr to 3rd yr to shine. I still see Philli struggling in the passing game. I just didn't see enough changes or additions that would seriously change their status quo.

Which brings us to the Skins. Everytime we brought in too much we did mediocre only cause of chemistry. We brought in AH who will definitly boost our D-Line which is what we needed. He will definitly boost our pass rush due to size and his taking on some of the double teams leaving other to get sacks and pressure. We have not had that in a while. We kept most everything else the same on D except for the Orakpo pick. I think he could be defensive rookie of the yr if the cards play out. Our D was 4th ranked last yr and we have pretty much kept everything the same other then finally getting someone who will create and take on double teams freeing up others for sacks. We will dominate on D baring injuries. Our only Question was O-line and WR. We needed younger healthier O-lineman or at the very least a better right side of the ball and to be honest I think they have done that. Again baring injury I think they have plans to use Williams and with Buges help getting the technique down he will be a beast again no matter his weight. I think they picked up Bridges to either spell Williams or to use him at right Guard which will have definitly upgraded our right side. Dockery will fill in at left Guard and the left side will be strong again. Our only question will be at Center. Rahbach is not bad but he's not great. He sits too low on the line causing the QB's to squat too low. He can't take on the AH's out their cause he gets steam rolled. I think the team is possibly looking at moving Jansen to Center. They tried it during OT's and the QB's seemed to like it cause they don't have to squat with him. Plus he's a little bigger then Rabach. If all these pieces fall into place I can see our O-line being dominant. Lastly an issue we our WR's. I think Thomas steps up this yr and if Kelly pans out we will have one of the best WR corps in the NFCE. Plus we picked up a bunch of talent at WR in case we need it.

I know it's long but all in all I see us taking the #2 spot. Philli will run a close 3rd. Could the football gods give us the opportunity to beat the Giants twice and possibly take the division? one can only hope with rose colored glasses. lol.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;556643]That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.[/quote]

Yeah, a second straight 6-2 start is quite possible, maybe even likely, so it's going to be interesting to see how they respond down the stretch. Do they fold up the tent like last year or use last year as a learning experience and close out the season strong?

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

It would be nice to have a division title this decade. And I am not saying that to nitpick, just as a point of fact. We have the most upside potential for a lot of reasons, but until the team earns it on the field, the "analysts" certainly will not give it to the Skins.

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

I think we are going to be really good or really crappy. We're gonna be in the top 10's or bottom 30's. I don't give Peter King a whole alot of credibility either. He's always wrong........ABOUT EVERYTHING! Especially Art Monk. I haven't gotten over that. I haven't gotten over all of his years of blocking Art Monk out of the hall of fame. And that signature catch thing...............that was the dumbest argument ever presented by someone that is supposed to know football. Peter King is an idiot!

Anyways, I think it all depends on Zorn and his coaching. And his play calling too. If Zorn has learned how to pick up the outside blitz in his offense.............and how to run the ball..........then that alone will make this team go far this year. But, he needs to find ways to exploit the double teams that our opponenents give to Moss and Cooley all the darn time. If he figures that out then we'll be blowing out every team we play. He's had a year in one of the toughest divisions in football. He's had a year at seeing how the NFL Defenses adjusted to his coaching style. He's had a year to teach his coaching style to Jason, Portis, Cooley, Sellers, Moss, and the rest of the offense. He's had a year to figure out not only the strengths that they bring to his offense, but the weaknesses as well. We'll see what he can do with it this year. He better win! Against that team in Texas that is..............

Re: I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance
 

every year we go through this same debate. Someone has us in the mid to bottom 20's and causes an uproar on the Warpath. And generally, these guys are pretty dead on every year. We finish 3rd or 4th in the division about every year. But yet, most of everyone goes off the deep end and says these guys are nuts, they shouldn't be allowed to breathe, blah blah blah. Honestly guys, you need a dose of reality. When we start winning (or should I say if) we start winning on a regular basis, make the playoffs more than once every 5 years, then we can expect to be in the top 10 where all of you THINK we should be.